Chapter 54: Ye Tianlin Takes Decisive Action

That afternoon, Ye Tianlin went out alone and went straight to his destination.

When he saw Jiang Yingxia sitting in her office, personally accompanied by Zhao Shanhe and busy reviewing the founding plan for Tianlan Group, Ye Tianlin's expression became solemn at once.

Jiang Yingxia immediately put down her pen, setting aside her previously forceful demeanor, and greeted him with a radiant smile. She took Ye Tianlin's arm tightly and said, "Tianlin, I was just about to tell you, and here you are! I’ve missed you so much, I thought of you every day!"

"These past five years, I can’t count how many nights I cried myself to sleep, terrified you’d never come back. Thank heaven you’re safe now."

"And really, why did you stay in Jiangnan all this time? Your elders have all been longing for you to come home so they could see you!"

Ordinarily, a reunion between mother and son should be a joyful occasion, but at this moment, Ye Tianlin’s face remained stern, unable to feel any happiness.

"Mother, do you think I don’t know what you said to Ru Lan? Ru Lan has already sacrificed so much for me, and now you’re making things even harder for her—how do you expect me to face myself?" Ye Tianlin reproached her.

As expected, the moment Su Rulan’s name was mentioned, Jiang Yingxia’s expression shifted. She pursed her lips and said, "I can’t believe that little vixen Su Rulan ran straight back to complain to you. She’s got some nerve! Tianlin, don’t let her fool you. None of the Su family can be trusted!"

"You’re condemning her along with everyone else. Ru Lan had no status in the Su family—she was bullied nearly to death. She finally caught a break, and now you treat her like this!" Ye Tianlin’s anger only grew as he spoke.

"The whole Su family is putting on an act. Everyone in the Ye family knows what they’re like. You must be confused!" Jiang Yingxia retorted with conviction.

Ye Tianlin said angrily, "I’m not confused. I know better than anyone how Ru Lan feels about me. The one with prejudices here is you!"

"I finally see you again after so long, and because of your disappearance, there were times I barely had the will to live. And now, we’re arguing over Su Rulan as soon as we meet? It would have been better if I’d died!" Overwhelmed, Jiang Yingxia stamped her foot and threatened to cry, make a scene, and even end her life.

Ye Tianlin had no choice but to soften his tone. "Mother, I know you’ve worried about me these past years, and as your son I owe you respect. But you can’t be unreasonable."

"So now you’re calling me unreasonable? I’m not even in your heart, only Su Rulan is!" Jiang Yingxia burst into tears, looking utterly aggrieved.

Seeing this, Ye Tianlin was nearly driven to fury.

Zhao Shanhe, unable to watch any longer, interjected, "Young master only wants to reconcile things between you two, so you can live in harmony."

"There’s no justice in this world! I do everything for my son, and now I’m called unreasonable. Even you, Zhao Shanhe, think so! That little witch Su Rulan is too cunning!" Jiang Yingxia began sobbing even harder.

Ye Tianlin spoke gravely, "Ru Lan has never said a bad word about you. She only told me the truth. In fact, before I came here, she spoke up for you, hoping it wouldn't affect our relationship. How could she possibly be the kind of person you imagine?"

"You’re obsessed with Su Rulan now. Nothing I say matters. All my efforts searching for you these five years have been wasted!" Jiang Yingxia wept, delicate and pitiable.

"Mother, I understand your suffering, but Ru Lan has suffered too—she’s borne so much for my sake. You’re both the people I care for most. I don’t want conflict between you. So, please, just this once, do as I ask: give Ru Lan a chance to prove herself. I believe, in time, you’ll understand." Ye Tianlin’s heart softened, and he embraced Jiang Yingxia.

Jiang Yingxia hesitated, wiping away her tears, and after a long pause, seemed on the verge of giving in.

Just then, an elderly figure entered, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, shuffling in slowly.

The sudden presence startled Zhao Shanhe so much that he fell to his knees, not daring to lift his head. His voice trembled, "M-madam!"

Recognizing the old lady, Ye Tianlin was equally surprised. "Grandmother, what brings you here?"

"I came with your mother, but made sure not too many people knew. I can’t believe it, Tianlin—you’ve nearly been brainwashed by the Su family. There is no way Su Rulan will ever marry into the Ye family. The Tianlan Group must be halted, and all contracts canceled!" Clad in silver robes, her voice thundered with authority and left no room for argument.

Ye Tianlin was no fool; he saw now that all of this had been orchestrated by his grandmother from the start.

He said, "Grandmother, I’m happy to see you, but as for Ru Lan—"

She raised her hand, cutting him off. "I said no, and that is final. Even setting everything else aside, Su Rulan’s background alone disqualifies her from marrying into the Ye family!"

"Grandmother, isn’t that a bit too arbitrary? Ru Lan is my wife, and no matter what, I will stand by her. If you insist on forcing me, aren’t you afraid I’ll never return to the Ye family?" Ye Tianlin’s words shocked everyone.

The old lady flew into a rage. "Ye Tianlin, don’t think the Ye family can’t do without you!"

Jiang Yingxia, terrified, tugged at Ye Tianlin’s sleeve, urging him, "Tianlin, what are you doing? How can you speak to your grandmother like that? Apologize at once!"

"A person must live with a clear conscience. If you insist on threatening me, then do as you will, Grandmother. I, too, am not indispensable to the Ye family. You’ve all underestimated me." Shaking off Jiang Yingxia’s hand, Ye Tianlin turned to leave.

"You dare?" The old lady’s cane struck the floor with a thunderous crack.

Ye Tianlin stopped and replied, "Perhaps what I’ve said today is out of line. But compared to all these things, I believe—if I can’t even be a good husband, I have no right to talk about anything else."

"Five years ago, Ru Lan saved my life. How could I ever abandon her now?"

With that, Ye Tianlin strode away.